Rocky Mount, N.C. - The 2014 USA South Tournament kicked off on Saturday with the 3rd-seeded Battling Bishops hosting 6th-seeded Averett University at Scalf Field. Despite dominating the Cougars with a 39-10 advantage in shots, Wesleyan struggled to convert goals and narrowly escaped with a 3-2 win in double overtime. Senior captain Joe Storer and sophomore Xavier Mensah tallied goals in regulation, setting up Charles Chapin's Golden Goal with just 1:16 left in the final OT.
NCWC got off the first nine shots of the contest, but it would be AU that took an early 1-0 lead on a Nathan Brown score at the 17:11 mark. Storer made it 1-1 in the 42nd minute with a beautiful header off a Thorfinnur Thorfinnsson cross. Brown, however, tallied his second score with 10 seconds left in the period to give AU a 2-1 edge at the half.
The upset-minded Cougars looked to make their lead stand up thanks to 13 saves from keeper Martin Erenstedt. With less than seven minutes remaining, Mensah finally got the equalizer for NCWC, booting home a Caetano Viegas assist.
In the first overtime, Wesleyan managed a trio of shots but again could not find the back of the next. Averett proceeded to notch the first shot-on-goal of the second OT... a rocket of the foot of Sam Muir that was saved by NCWC's Jesper Olsson, his fourth of the day. As time ticked away, the two squads seemed destined for a shootout, but in the 109th minute, Viegas laid off shot for Chapin from 15 that gave Wesleyan the victory.
Wesleyan (13-5-1) now advances to semifinal play in Martinsville, Va. next Friday, where the Bishops will take on 2nd-seeded Covenant College. The Scots defeated Wesleyan 3-1 at Scalf Field back on October 11th, which also marks the Bishops' lone defeat in their last eight matches.
For more information on the tournament, please visit http://www.usasouth.net/championships/msoc/index.